Rachel passed away at the Howard Lake Good Samaritan Center on June 19, 2013
Funeral Service; 11 AM Saturday June 22, 2013 at St. James Lutheran Church of Howard Lake
Visitation begins at 9:30 AM on Saturday at Church
Interment: Oakwood Cemetery, Mora, Minnesota
Rachel has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to St. James Lutheran Church, Lutheran Hour Ministries or LCMS World Relief.
Rachel Lillian Dina Rolf
was born on November 18, 1918, at rural Henriette, Minnesota, the daughter of
William J. and Katharina (Klein) Rolf.
She was baptized at home by the Reverend G.F. Luebker of Zion Lutheran,
Pine City, Minnesota, and was confirmed in her faith on Pentecost, June 4,
1933, at Zion Lutheran, Mora, Minnesota.
After
graduating from high school she became a teacher. The first seven years teaching at two country
schools in Kanabec County. Later, she
taught in public schools in Minnesota and California. Her thirty years of teaching in Lutheran
Schools were at Immanuel, Minneapolis; at Zion Maywood, California; at St.
John, Chaska; and finally at St. James in Howard Lake, where she retired in
1983.
Teacher
training began at Mora Normal School and followed at various institutions
including St. Cloud State, Concordia College, St. Paul, and Concordia College,
River Forest, Illinois.
Rachel’s
many interests included studying the Bible and Christian doctrine, music and
singing, and she treasured many Christian Bible-based hymns. She loved her church and “church
family.” Being an active church member,
she was involved with evangelism and LWML and enjoyed going to LWML
conventions. Sharing her faith and
knowledge of the Bible she led adult Bible studies and taught young children in
Sunday School and VBS.
In the
community, Rachel served on the committee for Home Based Services, and in 1985
helped organize the volunteer recycling program in Howard Lake.
Enjoying
God’s nature she always found joy in gardening.
Spending time with relatives and friends was also very important to her.
It was on
Wednesday, June 19, 2013, that Rachel took the hand of the Lord and went to her
eternal rest having reached the age of 94 years, 7 months and 1 day.
She was
preceded in death by her siblings and their spouses: Herman (Margaret) Rolf, Albert (Helen) Rolf,
Hilda (Theodore) Stigen, Ella (Willard) Matson, Paul (Ione) Rolf, Aaron
(Florencemae) Rolf, and Edwin Rolf; and several half-brothers and half-sisters.
Rachel is
survived by one sister-in-law, Louise (Edwin) Rolf and by many dear nieces and
nephews; and a host of relatives and friends.
Serving as
pallbearers are Tim Rolf, Thomas Rolf, Larry Rolf, Dennis Stigen, John Lind and
Dale Engel. Honorary pallbearers are
Curtis Rolf, Arden Rolf, Robert Rolf and James Stigen.
Officiating at the celebration
of her life today are Reverend Michael Nirva and Reverend David Taylor. Mrs. Nancy Butterfass is serving as organist
and Marge Stueven as soloist.
Interment will be at the
Oakwood Cemetery, Mora, Minnesota. Arrangements are by the
Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake.